I have only been really paying attention to college football since 1997, so the time span I am looking at is between 1997 and 2011, so a little more than a decade.

This is what I could think of in terms of the best defensive units I have seen in that time span. Overall defensive depth, talent level and on the field performance was taken into consideration. And yes if a team stock pile four or five future NFL players at one position, yes that was a major factor in the rankings as well.

Overall, the DL and Secondary are much better than the 05 team. 05 was probably better at LB, but only because Hodge and Greenway were machines. But Edd and Angerer aren't too far behind. On the 08 defense, there are already 4 draft picks, and likely Clayborn, Ballard, Binns, Sash, and probably Hunter will all get drafted, the first 3 in the first 3 rounds I'm sure. Granted, King and Kroul weren't NFL prospects really, but as college DTs they were ridiculous despite being tiny.

Overall, the DL and Secondary are much better than the 05 team. 05 was probably better at LB, but only because Hodge and Greenway were machines. But Edd and Angerer aren't too far behind. On the 08 defense, there are already 4 draft picks, and likely Clayborn, Ballard, Binns, Sash, and probably Hunter will all get drafted, the first 3 in the first 3 rounds I'm sure. Granted, King and Kroul weren't NFL prospects really, but as college DTs they were ridiculous despite being tiny.

Overall, the 08 defense > 05 defense, imo.

I disagree, because Greenway and Hodge are worlds ahead of those linebackers on Iowa in 08, it is not even close. As for the corners, depends on how much you like Spievey, I really like Allen and Johnson, both not great pro players but fine college players. Could also argue Greenwood and Sash were not what they are now back in 08. Also could argue the depth in 05 at defensive back is better as well. The defensive line is clearly better however again one could argue Clayborn was not the player he is now back then, and Binns did not even see the field did he? Still though Greenway trumps them all, he alone is better than all three of those linebackers combined. Or at least that is my opinion. If one thinks Spievey is Deion Sanders like and Angerer is a pro bowl inside linebacker then maybe, but my opinion on those two clearly is not as high as yours. Also hard to have the 08 team when potentially the 09 defensive line and or this up coming 10 defensive line is far better than the 08 line would ever dream of being.

Yes it is debatable however, but again Greenway and Hodge are the closers in my book for the debate.

I disagree, because Greenway and Hodge are worlds ahead of those linebackers on Iowa in 08, it is not even close. As for the corners, depends on how much you like Spievey, I really like Allen and Johnson, both not great pro players but fine college players. Could also argue Greenwood and Sash were not what they are now back in 08. Also could argue the depth in 05 at defensive back is better as well. The defensive line is clearly better however again one could argue Clayborn was not the player he is now back then, and Binns did not even see the field did he? Still though Greenway trumps them all, he alone is better than all three of those linebackers combined. Or at least that is my opinion. If one thinks Spievey is Deion Sanders like and Angerer is a pro bowl inside linebacker then maybe, but my opinion on those two clearly is not as high as yours. Also hard to have the 08 team when potentially the 09 defensive line and or this up coming 10 defensive line is far better than the 08 line would ever dream of being.

Yes it is debatable however, but again Greenway and Hodge are the closers in my book for the debate.

That's fair. Like I said, Hodge and Greenway are easily better. But that Edds and Angerer aren't bad either, but yes there is a large gap between the two pairs. As for the DL, it's easily better in 08 than 05. Iwebema was talented, but never produced up to his talent level. Clayborn in 08 was at least equal to Iwebema. Mattison was pretty productive, but no where near as talented as Ballard. That was Ballards 1st year starting and 2nd ever playing DE, and while he probably wasn't as productive, he was still very good. And 08 King/Kroul were obviously better than 05.

I would agree on depth in the secondary in 08, but first Shada shouldn't count for anything because he was worthless. Also, if we are going to say Clayborn and Sash (will get to him) weren't the players in 08 that they are now, then you can't say Godfrey and Fletcher were good depth because neither really saw the field in 05, to my recollection. So, you really can't say in 05 that they would be good backups knowing what we know now. If you do, then you have to say the same for Clayborn and Sash.

As for Sash, his frosh year in 08 may not have been as good as 09, but he is still better than either safety in 05 by a lot. I believe he led the Big XI in INTs in 08, but don't know his tackle numbers off the top of my head. The one thing I will say is that in 08 Greenwood was pretty terrible. To the corners, both pairs were very good for Iowa. However, I'll take Spievey over the other 3. He was probably our best CB in 08, and while not lockdown like 09, he was still well above average, but was overshadowed by a "career" year by Fletcher.

Again, it's just my opinion, but I'd take the 08 D every time based on talent and production. 05 probably wasn't as talented, but was super productive, whereas 08 has a lot of talent and wasn't super productive (yet) but just above average.

Either way, I'm enjoying your lists. You're doing a great job, and it makes the offseason a little better. :)

The 2002 team has a far superior defensive line with Smith, Pickett and Peterson being on the roster so point for them. The 2005 team has much better linebackers as a group, the 02 team was good but not great and Carpenter was not the player he was later, neither was Hawk, that 05 team Hawk was a monster and Carpenter was as well, much less they have James on the team also, Schegel and Freeman. Then it comes down to the defensive backs, I love Doss and really loved will Allen, and Gamble was a big time play maker. However the 05 team Jenkins is a flat out stud and was forever, Washington was very talented and Youboty was extremely talented. I would also say Whitner was a better safety than Doss in some ways, and Salley was not as good as Will Allen but still solid. However I guess the playmaking ability of Gamble was never matched in 05. So I will agree with you and switch out the 05 defense to the 02 defense because of the defensive backs and the defensive line.

Pickett was a Ram in 2002. We had Smith/Anderson/Peterson/Scott as our D-Line with Simon Fraser as the main backup at DE and David Thompson the main backup at DT. 2002 DLine was definitely superior but as a unit and in terms of overall talent I agree that 2005 was a better defense. They didn't win the championship that year but it wasn't the defense's fault that the offense got off to a slow start.

keylime_5
Pickett was a Ram in 2002. We had Smith/Anderson/Peterson/Scott as our D-Line with Simon Fraser as the main backup at DE and David Thompson the main backup at DT. 2002 DLine was definitely superior but as a unit and in terms of overall talent I agree that 2005 was a better defense. They didn't win the championship that year but it wasn't the defense's fault that the offense got off to a slow start.

2006 Michigan should be on the list (which is way too biased towards the present, btw). Woodley and Hall were finalists for pretty much every award, and the defense had 2 first team All-Americans + 2 second team All-Americans. Allowed just 43 rushing YPG (lowest by any team since 1985) on 1.9 YPC. One of the most successful in the NFL too.

You already have Illinois' roster up. '06 Michigan finished top 20 in 5 defensive categories, including the #1 rush D in the nation. Illinois was able to finish top 20 in one category, sacks, and '06 Michigan finished higher and had more. How many of the guys from Illinois are even on NFL rosters? '07 Illinois was barely a mediocre defense that year, let alone one of the top 25 defensive units over the past decade.

2006 Michigan should be on the list (which is way too biased towards the present, btw). Woodley and Hall were finalists for pretty much every award, and the defense had 2 first team All-Americans + 2 second team All-Americans. Allowed just 43 rushing YPG (lowest by any team since 1985) on 1.9 YPC. One of the most successful in the NFL too.

First off if you can read, I said I was looking between the time of 1997 and 2009. Why would I try to rank a defense I never even saw play? No offense but I did not even watch college football till 1997 so clearly a list based on all eternity is not possible for me to do at least.

Good point Michigan could be on there, you say they are better than the 07 Illinois team which I disagree with. The defensive backs on Illinois are far better, V. Davis was a stud, Mitchell was a great college safety and Alan Ball I was a huge fan of. The Michigan safeties I was never a fan of, Engleman was nothing special and Adams never reached his potential. The linebackers yes of course, they are just great on Michigan, but I feel a lot of people underrate Steele as a linebacker and Leman was an absolutely outstanding college player. The defensive line, outside of Woodley is even I feel, Illinois had few absolute stars but a lot of good solid depth, but yes Woodley shifts it for them. End result in my opinion Illinois had better depth in the secondary and on the defensive line but do not have the stars Michigan had.

But yes I will have to think about it, because they are possibly better than that South Florida defense.

Quote:

ironman4579 I'd put 2006 Michigan at the very least over 2007 Illinois.

You already have Illinois' roster up. '06 Michigan finished top 20 in 5 defensive categories, including the #1 rush D in the nation. Illinois was able to finish top 20 in one category, sacks, and '06 Michigan finished higher and had more. How many of the guys from Illinois are even on NFL rosters? '07 Illinois was barely a mediocre defense that year, let alone one of the top 25 defensive units over the past decade.

How is Illinois defense last year relevant to this discussion? That makes no sense. As for statistics, I never look at them, or rarely do, because one can alter them when looking at who they play, play weak competition of course you will have a great defense.

And if one wants to play the statistic game, then why did this great Michigan defense get dominated against Ohio State and USC the last two games of the season. In both games gave up season high in points with over 30 each game? That might by why they did not instantly come to mind when thinking of great defenses off the top of my head. Also screams to the issue of competition played, thus I do not look at statistics with such a list, much less the hell it would be to find those statistics ;o)

I went on players and yes one can really argue Michigan had better overall players. I was really high on Mitchell and Ball though in college, and I feel their defensive backs again on Illinois are better. But yes if you just look at pro players that is a great defense. I will think about including them on the list.

First off if you can read, I said I was looking between the time of 1997 and 2009. Why would I try to rank a defense I never even saw play? No offense but I did not even watch college football till 1997 so clearly a list based on all eternity is not possible for me to do at least.

I'm saying it's too biased towards the 2007-2009 period. Nebraska's 09 defense is definitely not the best they've had since '97, Texas '09 defense is a fringe top 25 at best, and South Florida and Illinois (WHAT!?) should not be on there at all.

First off if you can read, I said I was looking between the time of 1997 and 2009. Why would I try to rank a defense I never even saw play? No offense but I did not even watch college football till 1997 so clearly a list based on all eternity is not possible for me to do at least.

Good point Michigan could be on there, you say they are better than the 07 Illinois team which I disagree with. The defensive backs on Illinois are far better, V. Davis was a stud, Mitchell was a great college safety and Alan Ball I was a huge fan of. The Michigan safeties I was never a fan of, Engleman was nothing special and Adams never reached his potential. The linebackers yes of course, they are just great on Michigan, but I feel a lot of people underrate Steele as a linebacker and Leman was an absolutely outstanding college player. The defensive line, outside of Woodley is even I feel, Illinois had few absolute stars but a lot of good solid depth, but yes Woodley shifts it for them. End result in my opinion Illinois had better depth in the secondary and on the defensive line but do not have the stars Michigan had.

But yes I will have to think about it, because they are possibly better than that South Florida defense.

How is Illinois defense last year relevant to this discussion? That makes no sense. As for statistics, I never look at them, or rarely do, because one can alter them when looking at who they play, play weak competition of course you will have a great defense.

And if one wants to play the statistic game, then why did this great Michigan defense get dominated against Ohio State and USC the last two games of the season. In both games gave up season high in points with over 30 each game? That might by why they did not instantly come to mind when thinking of great defenses off the top of my head. Also screams to the issue of competition played, thus I do not look at statistics with such a list, much less the hell it would be to find those statistics ;o)

I went on players and yes one can really argue Michigan had better overall players. I was really high on Mitchell and Ball though in college, and I feel their defensive backs again on Illinois are better. But yes if you just look at pro players that is a great defense. I will think about including them on the list.

I never said a word about last years Illinois team, unless last year was '07. Briinging up Illinois is completely relevant because you have them on a list of the top 25 best defenses of the last decade. And I'm sorry, there's no way they belong on there. Like, at all.

One player got dominated against USC. Morgan Trent. He was the weak point of that defense. If we're playing the "got dominated" game, '07 Illinois gave up 40 to Missouri, 49 to USC.

I would completely disagree with Illinois secondary being that much better.Leon Hall was, at worst, equal with Davis, and likely better because he was actually willing to work hard. Technically he was far superior, though david might have had the edge in pure athleticism. Jamar Adams was underrated. Michigan has a big edge in LB, and I'll take Woodley and Branch over anyone on Illinois defense. Throwing in freshman Brandon Graham makes it a no brainer. If you didn't want to put Michigan on there, fine. I realize it's difficult to rank teams. But there's no way that Illinois team should be on there. I'm not even sure I'd put that '06 Florida on the list over '06 Michigan.

i thought USC's defense in 2008 was better than in 2005 going on memory but I could be wrong. Maybe it's just b/c the Texas game sticks out from 2005, but I know OSU's defense in 2005 was clearly better than USC's, just ask Vince Young. We beat up on Vince pretty good after the first quarter.

I never said a word about last years Illinois team, unless last year was '07. Briinging up Illinois is completely relevant because you have them on a list of the top 25 best defenses of the last decade. And I'm sorry, there's no way they belong on there. Like, at all.

One player got dominated against USC. Morgan Trent. He was the weak point of that defense. If we're playing the "got dominated" game, '07 Illinois gave up 40 to Missouri, 49 to USC.

Silly facts and ****. Always getting in the way.

Seriously, how can a defense be one of the top 25 defenses of the past "decade" if they ranked in the top 20 in exactly one category? Consider the fact that the one category had nothing to do with points and yardage, and you have zero case for Illinois being one of the top 25 defenses of the past decade. It's a stretch that they'd be one of the top 25 defenses of the Big 10 alone for that stretch.